1.30.2009

Today I had a rental agent come by and take a look at the house. I decided this was probably the best route to go. JF's sister offered to manage it for me while I'm gone but that's a hassle and she lives 100 miles away so it's not like just going across town. A very generous offer but I don't really want to take advantage of her that way.

The service isn't really that expensive and the guy really seemed to know what he's doing. We went over the services he provides, what kind of renters he looks for, he shared some of his experiences, and gave me a few points of advice that seemed pretty solid. It would be nice to know that it's being taken care of by someone with experience.

1.29.2009

I've learned that I am a terribly impatient person in all of this and that my expectations are way too high. Let me give you a couple of examples:

When I'm told I will get a call on Monday to finalize things and go over the details; amazingly, I expect that to happen.

When I am told that I will get a call later in the day; my crazy self actually believes that's what will happen

When after the third time I've been told I will get a call and I don't; I'm actually irritated by that.

Can you believe me? I mean, why would I believe or expect any of that?

Hmmmm. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that when I say I'm going to do something, I do it. And if for some reason I'm not able to fulfill my promise, I let the person that I promised, know that I need more time or something came up. I don't just leave them hanging....wondering....worrying.

I realize I have a full two and half weeks before I'm supposed to be leaving (is that a long time?) but I would like to get things done ahead of time instead of waiting until the last minute. At this point, I have no travel arrangements, no forwarding address, no housing arranged, oh and in a week and a half....no job!

1.24.2009

I shared the news with my team after I told the boss and the rest of the staff will be notified on Monday. The next two weeks should be interesting.

I always hate the part where everyone wants to ask a hundred questions about what are you going to do, where are you going, what about this, what about that.....arrghh.I should just give them the link to this blog.

1.23.2009

That is when I leave for Kwajalein. I'll be giving my notice at work either tomorrow or Monday. I haven't decided. Either way that makes my last day February 6th and gives me a week off to get the rest of my stuff done and spend time at home before it's not home anymore.

Relief. I feel relief. And sad, and stressed, and excited, and nervous.

Giving my notice isn't going to be easy. I am knowingly going to be putting a burden on my coworkers and I feel bad about that. I'm worried that my clients aren't going to get the attention and service they are used to. That's a hard thing for me to let go.

I gotta tell you though, the idea of doing a job where I don't really have any customers is sounding pretty sweet!

On to the next stage!

Thanks for joining me on this crazy adventure. I would imagine it will get more interesting from here on out.

1.22.2009

My cat has received approval and all the clearance necessary to travel to Kwajalein. Have I? No!

He's going to have a hard time coming up with the money for his flight but if I put him on a plane and strapped the $150 importation fee to him, he would be allowed on the island. I however, would not get in.

1.21.2009

Today I was notified that the Kwajalein medical staff has been sent my records for review. Apparently they are the ones that decide whether they want to take responsibility for you or not.

Because there is only basic care available on the island, you have to submit to a physical to ensure that you are not going to keel over and die when you step foot off of the plane nor that you are going to require lots of long term highly specialized care. Hawaii is the nearest location to receive specialized care and that is a very expensive 7 hour flight that you wouldn't want to have to endure in an emergency or on a regular basis.

1.15.2009

I went back to the clinic today to have them read my TB test and to get the collection done that didn't happen on Monday. I had my doubts about whether the kit would be there or not and lo and behold it was. The TB test was negative, everything was progressing fine....the nurse gave me the kit and sent me down to the lab to have the collection done.

They refused!

They said they don't do "that kind" and that even the hospital stopped doing them; as far as she knew, there was no one in town that did. WHAT!?!?

I got on the phone to the company that arranged this whole thing and was told that the person who handled that was gone for the day. Of course she was! I had another number to call but I didn't have it on me so I went home with my kit and called. I told my story to the lady and she was appalled (thank you for that) and said she would make some calls and get it all straightened out.

By the time I got back to work, I got an email telling me to call her back and when I did she said she had gotten it all fixed, I just needed to call this one nurse and she would make sure everything was taken care of.

Here is where it turns into a sick joke.

I call the contact at the lab that is supposed to fix everything and here is what I get; apparently, as soon as she got off the phone with the other lady, she found out that no, they actually can't do that and everything she just told the woman was wrong but she didn't know how to call her back and tell her, so I'm the lucky one to receive the news.

Are you kidding me?

So by now, everyone has gone home and I have to wait until tomorrow to even know if this stupid collection kit I have in my possession is any good anymore or if it's null and void.

1.13.2009

In the almost predictable fashion that everything else has happened (or not happened) in this process.....the physical was a bust today. The official kit that is used to collect and ship my vital fluids didn't arrive. And, because of this new delay, I'm not turning in my notice on Friday like I originally planned.

I get to go back on Wednesday to try it again. Thankfully my current company is very flexible with "appointments". I had to go back on Wednesday anyway because they gave me a TB test. The TB test involves injecting something under the skin on your arm and then seeing if you have a reaction. After 48 hours, they look at the injection sight and then sign you off as ok or take x-rays of your lungs if you test positive. I'm betting this is the real deal-breaker for whether you go or not.

I swear I should start taking bets. Lets start now.....anyone want to bet on how long it takes to get the blood test results and move on to the next stage? Assuming it gets done and sent on Wednesday? I'll give it one week. Which puts it at January 21st. Exactly four months from the date I was "hired".

1.10.2009

Today I took the cat in to get all of his necessary procedures done in order to apply for the Marshall Islands Pet Importation Permit. I have a whole lot of papers for tests, microchips, vaccinations etc. that I have to send to my representative on the island so he can apply for the permit for me. Once he gets it, he has to send it to me so I can transport the cat with it.

I have to go back to the vet within 10 days of leaving for the island and have the cat examined one more time, he'll be treated for fleas and de-wormed whether he needs it or not and then we'll be done. Whew.

I'm curious to know why they go through such a process. Is it because domestic pets can infect the native animals? Or because the environment is such that all diseases and parasites would run rampant on the island? It seems like a bit much but hey....whatever it takes.

I'm next. My physical is on Monday. I'm sure it will be similar to what the cat just went through. Blood tests, exams; hopefully I won't get microchipped though...or de-wormed.

1.07.2009

Just recently I have been having a hard time staying focused at my current job.
They still don't officially know; I have not turned in my notice yet and I have done really well not accidentally talking about the things I've done to get ready. I say officially because I'd be really surprised if my boss doesn't have some idea of my intentions. It's a tough balance between doing a good job and remaining detached enough that I'm not in the middle of a project no one can finish when I turn in my notice.

In actuality, I'm pretty sure that due to circumstances with the recent takeover, that I'm one of the first staffers on the chopping block anyway. I don't really fit in their culture or mindset and I never wanted to work for them anyway.

Someone finally asked about the truck I've been driving. Apparently everyone thought it belonged to JF. I told them I was cutting back on my expenses and they seemed to think that made sense. I'm glad....I really didn't want to have to flat out lie. There's a bit of truth to that.

It will be such a relief when this is finally over. It's stressful. I loved my job before the takeover. I want to be able to be open and honest...I feel like I've been sneaking around for months. Oh wait, I have.

1.03.2009

The good news is that my physical has been scheduled for the 12th of January. Along with the appointment confirmation and of course the detailed instructions for the physician to follow regarding the required tests, billing, so on....

The weird part is that while I figured there would be some blood and urine samples that would be required and whatever else a full physical may mean, I didn't expect that my bodily fluids were going to be shipped clear across the US for processing. In multiple directions. I find that to be kind of creepy.

The Government now knows more about me than anyone I've ever known in my life. All my gory details; literally. What a strange feeling. I'm not a trusting person by nature which makes security a good field for me but I've been sort of proud of the fact that no one really knows much about me. Until now. Now it's all out there.